Method for assessing brain function and portable automatic brain function assessment apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing rapid brain assessment may provide emergency triage to head trauma patients by analyzing a combination of spontaneous and evoked brain potentials. The spontaneous and evoked potentials are analyzed, and the results classified, to present a real-time assessment of a patient's brain, diagnosing any potential abnormalities therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to the field of emergency triage, and specifically, a method and apparatus for performing emergency neurological triage. Moreover, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing brain function. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The central nervous system (CNS) and the brain in particular, perform the most complex and essential processes in the human body. Surprisingly, contemporary health care lacks sophisticated tools to objectively assess their function. A patient's mental and neurological status is typically assessed clinically by an interview and a subjective physical exam. The clinical laboratory currently has no capacity to assess brain function or pathology, contributing little more than identification of poisons, toxins, or drugs that may have externally impacted the CNS. Brain imaging studies, such as computed tomography imaging (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), though widely used and useful, are stru...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Further in accordance with the invention, there is provided an apparatus for diagnosing the neurological state of a subject, comprising a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores one or more operating instructions, a multi-channel input-output interface operatively coupled to the proc...

Problems solved by technology

Surprisingly, contemporary health care lacks sophisticated tools to objectively assess their function.

The clinical laboratory currently has no capacity to assess brain function or pathology, contributing little more than identification of poisons, toxins, or drugs that may have externally impacted the CNS.

All of these assessment tools play an important role in selected cases, but they are costly, not universally available, and they do not provide critical information at the early stages of acute care situations.

None of the current techniques provides the immediate, actionable information critical to timely intervention, appropriate triage, or the formulation of an appropriate plan of care.

Currently, emergency room patients with altered mental status, acute neuropathy, or head trauma must undergo costly and time consuming tests to determine an appropriate course of treatment.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the clinical condition of patients continue to deteriorate as they wait for equipment to become available or for specialists to interpret tests.

The problem that faces ER physicians is that their resources are quite literally limited to a flashlight and a rubber reflex hammer.

Some abnormalities which will eventually have anatomical and structural consequences often take time to become visible.

Thus, while the location, expense, and limited availability ...

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